Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a pointed appearance on social media to crush two viral narratives with a single video. The first was that he had been assassinated in an Iranian strike, and the second was that a recent press conference video featuring him had been artificially generated. His response was filmed at a café and delivered with the kind of dry humor that has become something of a personal trademark.
The Prime Minister joked that he was dead only “for coffee,” using a Hebrew expression to convey passion rather than mortality. He also spoke warmly about the Israeli public, crediting their morale and continued support as a source of energy for both the government and the IDF. He called their behavior during the conflict “fantastic” and expressed his deep personal gratitude.
Netanyahu specifically called out the AI conspiracy theory that had grown from a clip showing him with what appeared to be six fingers on one hand during a press conference. He held up both hands to the camera and invited anyone watching to count for themselves, delivering the rebuttal with a slight grin. The moment was widely quoted and replayed on international media.
The Prime Minister simultaneously reassured and informed Israelis about the state of the conflict, noting that strong military actions were underway in Iran and Lebanon. He asked citizens to continue following official safety guidance, particularly staying close to protective shelters. He stressed that this applied to everyone without exception, including government officials.
While Netanyahu was sipping coffee and brushing off rumors, Iran’s military was issuing formal death threats. The IRGC publicly vowed to pursue and kill the Israeli Prime Minister, with state media running stark headlines about the pledge. The jarring contrast between the café video and the assassination vow illustrated the profound tension still defining the Israel-Iran war.